In spite of the Indian constitution envisaging that every citizen must have compassion for living animals and the Prevention of Cruelty Act, 1960 being in force for the past 50 years, we get to see pet shops mushroom all over the country and they displaying and selling animals like commodity. It is not uncommon to see cute puppies & kittens and exotic looking birds fenced into tiny cages and colorful fish going around in circles in small spherical bowls.
Most of these animals are products of puppy mills where the females are kept constantly pregnant and lactating, many a time in sub-standard conditions to produce babies that are weaned and sold when they are just a few weeks old. Animal welfare within these businesses is therefore imperative and extremely essential.
Now that the Central Ministry of Environment and Forests, under the leadership of Shri Jairam Ramesh has initiated this very important set of Pet Shop rules titled, Dog Breeding, Marketing and Sales rules http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/Draft-Dog-Breeding-Rules-2010.pdf and Aquarium Fish breeding Marketing rules http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/Draft-Aquarium-Fish-Breeding-Rules-2010.pdf, let us clench this moment to make a difference. These pet shop animals are depending on us.
Let us all sign this petition today to showcase to the Honorable Minister, Shri Jairam Ramesh in sheer numbers, that he has the backing and support of a large group of compassionate people who care for animals in his endeavor to transform this Draft Pet Shop rules into enforceable LAW.
